Worship Leader

Reformed Church in America; Byron Township (MI); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

South Harbor is seeking a Worship Leader to lead weekly Sunday worship, build a capable band, and craft an excellent, Christ-centered experience that invites worshipers to engage and grow.

This role works closely with the Tech Director to ensure production supports worship, and to develop a sustainable team, recruiting volunteers and mentoring emerging leaders.

Qualifications

• Growing relationship with Jesus and alignment with South Harbor’s mission, values.
• Proven experience leading congregational worship from the stage, ideally in a large or multi-service church.
• Strong vocal ability and proficiency on guitar or keys.
• Experience building, rehearsing, and leading a full band, including charting and arranging.
• Ability to recruit, coach, and develop volunteers and raise up other worship leaders.
• Strong organizational, communication, and collaborative leadership skills.
• A self-starter who takes initiative, brings creative ideas, welcomes feedback, and consistently pursues improvement.
• Able to lift 20 lbs of equipment.

Responsibilities

• Lead Sunday worship with meaningful, engaging, and excellent worship every week.
• Lead worship from the stage most Sundays, with a rotation of worship leaders for other weeks.
• Plan weekend services at least 10 days in advance with the pastoral team.
• Intentionally select songs that engage, are biblically grounded, and accessible.
• Lead weekly rehearsals and maintain service plans and resources.
• Shape musical arrangements, service flow, and transitions for a cohesive service.
• Model authentic worship that invites participation and transformation.
• Build a deep bench of musicians and vocalists who can lead with excellence.

Skills

Worship leadership

Vocal proficiency

Band leadership

Volunteer recruitment

Organizational leadership

Initiative and creativity

Stamina for performances

Education

Formal musical training

Tools

Planning Center

ProPresenter

Job description

Position details

• Position Type: Full-Time
• Classification: Exempt
• Position Grade: Salary
• Budget Hours: 40 hours per week (or part time option)
• Reporting Relationship: Lead Pastor
• Ministry Teams: South Harbor Staff; Worship Team

Job description

The Worship Leader leads worship at South Harbor and builds bands and vocal teams that can lead with excellence every week. This person shapes a dynamic, Christ-centered Sunday experience that engages our congregation and helps people take next steps toward Jesus. The Worship Leader partners closely with the Tech Director, who leads all production, livestream, and technical needs. Above all, this role is a worship leader and builder of worship leaders.

Primary responsibilities

1. Lead Sunday worship

• Lead the congregation in meaningful, engaging, and excellent worship every week.
• Lead worship from the stage most Sundays, with a developed rotation of worship leaders for remaining weeks.
• Plan weekend services at least 10 days in advance in collaboration with the pastoral team.
• Intentionally select and introduce songs that are engaging, accessible to our congregation, and biblically grounded.
• Lead weekly rehearsals and maintain service plans and resources in Planning Center.
• Shape musical arrangements, service flow, and transitions so the whole service holds together.
• Model authentic, engaged worship that invites the congregation to participate.
• Create intentional moments where transformation can be experienced.

2. Build the band

• Build a deep bench of musicians and vocalists who can lead with excellence every Sunday.
• Proactively recruit, audition, and place instrumentalists and vocalists.
• Provide ongoing musical coaching.
• Identify, develop, and coach at least 2 additional worship leaders/band leaders who can lead Sundays.
• Develop a pipeline for new and younger musicians, including students.
• Oversee care and maintenance of church owned musical instruments.

3. Worship culture and vision

• Cultivate a worship culture that is engaging, Christ-centered, and continually growing.
• Develop and lead a clear vision for worship aligned with South Harbor’s mission and values.
• Proactively bring new ideas, creative approaches, and improvements to Sunday worship.
• Regularly evaluate congregational engagement, musical quality, and opportunities for growth.

4. Care for the worship team

• Build healthy, sustainable teams where volunteers feel valued, connected, and empowered.
• Shepherd team members through prayer, encouragement, and regular personal connection.
• Provide coaching, training, and feedback to help volunteers grow.
• Oversee volunteer scheduling, communication, and preparation for Sunday services.

5. Partner with the Tech Director

• Work hand in hand with the Tech Director so that production serves worship well.
• Share the creative vision for each service (mood, transitions, key moments) with the Tech Director and production team.
• Give clear input on stage design and visual elements that support worship.
• Give feedback on the in-room and online worship experience from a worship leader’s perspective.
• Attend joint planning so music and production are prepared together for Thursday rehearsal and Sunday.

6. Collaboration and special events

• Partner with staff and ministry leaders to support the mission of South Harbor.
• Collaborate with the pastoral team on sermon series, special services, and creative worship elements.
• Provide worship leadership for churchwide events and special services as needed.
• Participate in staff meetings, planning, and churchwide initiatives.
• Steward the worship budget and resources responsibly.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Lead Pastor.

Qualifications

Required

• A growing relationship with Jesus and alignment with South Harbor’s mission, vision, and values.
• Proven experience leading congregational worship from the stage, ideally in a large or multi-service church.
• Strong vocal ability and proficiency on at least one accompaniment instrument (guitar or keys preferred).
• Experience building, rehearsing, and leading a full band, including charting and arranging.
• Ability to recruit, coach, and develop volunteers and raise up other worship leaders.
• Strong organizational, communication, and collaborative leadership skills.
• A self-starter who takes initiative, brings creative ideas, welcomes feedback, and consistently pursues improvement.
• Able to lift 20 lbs of equipment.

Preferred

• General familiarity with worship technology (audio, lighting, video, livestream) helpful for working with the Tech Director.
• Experience with Planning Center and ProPresenter
• Formal musical training, ministry training, or a worship-related degree.
• Technical experience is preferred. Currently, the Tech Director is not a staffed position. The addition of a staffed Tech Director is contingent on the level of experience of the Worship Leader.